THE days of collecting pension payments and benefits over the local post office counter are fast coming to an end as the electronic payment system takes hold. And for many post offices, who rely on processing benefit payments for 40 per cent of their turnover, times are hard.

The recent closures of Alexandra Park Post Office in Edgeley and Grove Lane Post Office in Cheadle Hulme were blamed on declining numbers of customers, increased running costs and a greater choice of how people are paid their benefits.

Two more post offices - Millbrook Towers in Stockport and Grosvenor Road in Cheadle Hulme - are currently undergoing a consultation process and face possible closure.

Under government plans to close 3,000 branches nationally, around 20 Post Offices in the borough could be at risk. Local elderly groups have voiced concern over the closures, claiming the post office is a lifeline for many residents.

Michael Moore, secretary of Stockport Action in Retirement Group said: "Post office closures will leave many older people isolated and struggling to access their pension and benefit payments. To many of them, it's a social centre and a focal point."

John Hopwood, secretary of the South Manchester division of the Federation of Sub-Postmasters, said making a living was becoming increasingly tough for many post offices. "We support the elderly and infirm who rely on a nearby post office, and for some of them it's the only time they get out of the house, but at the same time it's becoming impossible to make a living," he said.

"The Post Office itself is in financial difficulties and it can't afford to make pay rises, while at the same time business rates are going up."

Edgeley Councillor, Sheila Bailey, said: "Post offices are like any other small business, they rely on making a living and if shopping practices change, then the suppliers of services change as well. People can still collect their pension payments from the post office if they want to. Whatever happens, there will be a post office within a mile of where anyone lives."

Last year, Stockport's ruling Liberal Democrats pledged to campaign to stop the closure of the borough's post offices. Council leader, Councillor Mark Hunter, said: "This is another case of market forces being applied to yet another vital public service in a totally inappropriate way.

"The same thing happened on the railways, it's happening to post offices and local chemists are also under threat. I am still hopeful that when the government see the strength of feeling from the petitions we have collected, they will see sense, reverse the policy and come up with a real rescue package for the post office network."